"Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O LORD.. If Thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O LORD, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with Thee, that Thou mayest be feared." Psalm 130:1,3,4     

If the cry comes from the depths, then we must be in a deep pit. Sin puts us there. Sin blackens our soul, deadens our conscience, separates us from God.     

Too many do not realize that they are in the depths. This heart cry did not come from the lips of Herod. Pontius Pilate washes his hands with water to remove his guilt.     

But those who know the destructive power of sin confess that they are helpless in their plight. We cannot stand before God, marked with our trespasses.    

Out of the depth the psalmist cried for help. He did not despair. He believed that he could get out of that pit. And how do you ask?  "There is forgiveness with Thee," God in His compassion  reaches down and takes hold of us and lifts us to His heart.     

That is the Gospel of the cross. The hands of His Son were pierced because He loved us so. His blood makes the foulest and saintliest clean.     

Christian friends, No matter how deep we have fallen, there is forgiveness with God, because Christ died to lift us to Himself.  

How blest is he whose trespass                                                                                       Has freely been forgiven,                                                                                             Whose sin is wholly covered                                                                                      Before the sight of heaven.  

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - Sin invites judgment; confession ensures forgiveness.